#timetabling

I have a Latin course from Tuesday to next Thursday, so I do need to revise a bit of Latin, but I also would like to continue making some bookmarks, learn how to crochet and start making granny squares (meaning that I'll probably need more wool my parents are going to be so happy) and read the Iliad.

Just a short read on my views around AI - Two letters many meanings. Hope you enjoy the read.

Zen and the Covid Effect

Zen and the Covid effect.

It has taken me sometime to write on this subject. I myself have lost a parent during this time (not to the virus) but I thought I would add my musings.

We do have to think differently as many have said and things are changing so timetables have to be adaptable. 

The Corona Virus Effect

As the effects of this Corona Virus continue to be felt, there comes a…

Timetabling at the Centre of the Universe

Zen and the Art of Timetabling

There are many elements we value in our lives. Some however, we don’t fully realise the true significance of them. We often take time as one of these values, to be mastered, understood and controlled. Yet, it is kept separate rather than seen as it should be. Having become one of a band of timetablers, I finally understood how time, space (no pun intended) and…

Week 4 - it'll be hard to stop the avalanche from now on. If you have weekly tasks and deliverables I strongly recommend keeping on top of them, it'll only get harder to control from here if you leave things hanging. Stuvac is not the time to submit 237 online quizzes and written assignments.

So how do you prevent yourself from rolling down the hill stuck to a gigantic snowball? Here's how I break it down:

Draw up a semester plan with all assignment due dates and other important tasks, check this earlier post for advise.

On Sunday plan the week ahead. I do this by editing the timetable in a pdf editor where I mark out timeslots for reading, quizzes, tute prep etc. Remember to leave a safety buffer when estimating the time required. When done I save a screenshot of the timetable and use it as a laptop wallpaper so it's always easy to get to.

Commit to the plan. No amount of planning, goodwill and intent is going to write your assignments, the power of thought doesn't extend that far. See my tips on managing distractions and procrastinating here.

Note: thanks to the busy life with kids and sport outside uni I have a more detailed weekly plan, and as a rule if I get 80% of everything planned done I'm on top of things. The most important thing is to commit to it and give it your best shot, and if it all goes pear shaped you'll have a few things to consider when planning the following week.

What am I doing this week?

Couple of online quizzes are due, also need to spend a fair bit of time on tute and prac prep.

Writing the second draft of the assignment due at the end of week 5.

How was week 1? Head still spinning? Too easy? Neither? Both? Whatever the feels the real deal starts week 2 after the compulsory unit introductions are over. Week 1 should have given you a clear indication of the workload required for each unit you're taking, which brings me to scheduling your week.

Whip out your semester plan (or put one together if you haven't already, at a minimum do this), and look at how assignments are spaced out: what requires attention every week, what needs more than a regular week's effort, what's due soon etc. Consider how much time you will need to go through each week's material per unit, which ones need more time and which are lighter, then draw out a weekly plan and earmark regular timeslots for going over the material.

Note: when estimating how long a task/reading/online quiz etc. will take give it a bit of a buffer, e.g. if you think a task will take an hour add a bit of extra to this as you'll probably soon find out reading academic texts and coming back to topics after a few day's break will take longer than you thought.

Prioritise what's important, make sure you allow more time for your core units and for those you really want to shine in. For an example: out of the four units I have taken it's already crystal that one of them will require probably twice the effort as the other three, and as it's also likely part of my future major I have to put some serious focus on it. So in my weekly plan majority of time available will be dedicated for this unit, this after factoring in other weekly must-delivers.

Here's one of my main time management tips: if you have a prac/lab/tute/etc. which includes an assessment item to be completed afterwards, finish the task the same week even if you are given more time to submit. Chances are the same unit will require more postlab or similar work that gets  handed out the following week - better get the previous stuff done before that hits your desk. Also this way you do not end up with 879 online quizzes and prac reports to submit by the time you hit STUVAC. Because that's enough to make a grown man cry.

What am I doing this week?

First physiology lab - yay!

First assessment items due, online quizzes, workshops etc.

Fine tuning my detailed weekly plan